Teaching Career

I began my career in the classroom began when I became a Teaching Fellow at The University of Michigan during graduate school.  Though a doctoral candidate in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, this appointment was in a newly inaugurated Center for Religious Studies.  I taught World Religions there from 1970-1973.

In 1973 I joined the faculty of the School of Religion at Seattle Pacific College.  Eventually, that school was renamed The School of Theology, while the college itself became Seattle Pacific University.  Eventually, Seattle Pacific Seminary was founded.  I enjoyed teaching university and seminary students.

Though my specialty was the Old Testament, I taught occasionally courses focusing on the New Testament.  As well, Biblical Theology became a signature course for me.  In the last twenty years at Seattle Pacific, the basic course in Scripture covered both the Old and New Testament.

As an author

Early in my career, I published on the topic of Israelite history.  That was the focus of my training at The University of Michigan.  In time, however, I changed focus.  I began publishing “close readings’ of the biblical text.  Most of these close readings were primarily on Old Testament narratives.  I became fascinated with the details of the biblical text.  Quite often these details were skimmed over or thought to be incidental.  I soon realized that the details were the meat of the text.

 My 2005 book, The Faith of the Outsider: Exclusion and Inclusion in the Biblical Story (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) is an exercise in close reading of six Old Testament stories and one from the New Testament.  That book is still available.

Currently, I am working on a book that will be published by Wipf and Stock: Multiplying Divisions: The Fractious Nature of Israel, God’s Elect People.  This book executes close readings of narratives which portray Israel’s struggle with unity.

 My Curriculum Vitae has a listing of my publications and lectures presented in a variety of venues. 

As a speaker

Since 1973, I have been a regular lecturer on biblical topics in various Christian denominations.  In a way, this has been a second career for me.  My interest in this activity is due to a conviction that biblical interpretation finds its fulfillment in the life of the Church.  Most of these opportunities have been in the area of Adult Education.  But I have also spoken a great deal in retreat settings.  As well, I have spoken to clergy conferences in several states.  I remain open for speaking opportunities for individual churches, retreat settings, or clergy conferences.

A sample of topics on which I have lectured:

• The Gospel of St. Moses

• The Faith of the Outsider

• Failed Efforts to Manage God

• True and False Prophets

• The Untold Story of David and Goliath

• Solomon: The Wisest of Fools

• The Wilderness Experience

• Psalms in a Lenten Key

• Israel’s Monarchy: Bane or Blessing?

• The Reformation of Wisdom

If you are interested in having Frank Spina speak at your church, retreat setting, or clergy conference please contact us to learn more.